Foodborne illness associated with salad products

The FDA has issued an alert to consumers about outbreak clusters of cyclosporiasis that may be associated with salad products served in Texas and Illinois.

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The agency is working with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as state and other health authorities to determine the cause and scope of the problem.

There have been 2 outbreak clusters to date:

In February 2004, approximately 57 individuals in Wheaton, Illiois, were reported sick after consuming food containing basil and mesculin prepared by a restaurant. Of these, 20 cases have been confirmed by laboratory testing to have been cyclosoriasis.

Also in February, 38 people from Irving, Texas, were reported ill after eating basil and mesculin mix at a local restaurant. Of these, 16 case were confirmed as cyclosporiasis.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the ingestion of the Cyclospora parasite. It results in the infection of the small intestine.